Antenna assembly for a vehicle

ABSTRACT

An antenna assembly comprising a base, a modem, a top lid and a housing is disclosed herein. The antenna assembly is for a vehicle. The base is composed of an aluminum material. The modem is disposed within the base. The top lid is for the base, and the top lid comprises at least one antenna element disposed on an exterior surface thereof. The housing covers the top lid and base. The top lid and base act as an electro-magnetic barrier for the modem.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The Present Application is a continuation application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 16/237,678, filed on Jan. 1, 2019, which is herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

This invention relates to antenna assemblies for vehicles.

Description of the Related Art

In wireless communication systems for vehicles, a modem for the vehicleis typically placed a great distance away from an antenna in order toprevent electro-magnetic signals from the modem from interfering withthe antenna. This often requires a long coaxial cable wired throughoutthe vehicle.

General definitions for terms utilized in the pertinent art are setforth below.

BLUETOOTH technology is a standard short range radio link that operatesin the unlicensed 2.4 gigahertz band.

Code Division Multiple Access (“CDMA”) is a spread spectrumcommunication system used in second generation and third generationcellular networks, and is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,901,307.

GSM, Global System for Mobile Communications is a second generationdigital cellular network.

The Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (“UMTS”) is a wirelessstandard.

Long Term Evolution (“LTE”) is a standard for wireless communication ofhigh-speed data for mobile phones and data terminals and is based on theGSM/EDGE and UMTS/HSPA communication network technologies.

LTE Frequency Bands include 698-798 MHz (Band 12, 13, 14, 17); 791-960MHz (Band 5, 6, 8, 18, 19, 20); 1710-2170 MHz (Band 1, 2, 3, 4, 9, 10,23, 25, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 39); 1427-1660.5 MH (Band 11, 21, 24);2300-2700 MHz (Band 7, 38, 40, 41); 3400-3800 MHz (Band 22, 42, 43).

Antenna impedance and the quality of the impedance match are mostcommonly characterized by either return loss or Voltage Standing WaveRatio.

Surface Mount Technology (“SMT”) is a process for manufacturingelectronic circuits wherein the components are mounted or placeddirectly onto a surface of a printed circuit board (“PCB”).

The APPLE IPHONE® 5 LTE Bands include: LTE700/1700/2100 (698-806MHz/1710-1785 MHz/1920-2170 MHz); LTE 850/1800/2100 (824-894MHz/1710-1880 MHz/1920-2170 MHz); and LTE 700/850/1800/1900/2100(698-806 MHz/824-894 MHz/1710-1880 MHz/1850-1990 MHz/1920/2170).

The SAMSUNG GALAXY® SIII LTE Bands include: LTE 800/1800/2600 (806-869MHz/1710-1880 MHz/2496-2690 MHz.

The NOKIA LUMIA® 920 LTE Bands: LTE 700/1700/2100 (698-806 MHz/1710-1785MHz/1920-2170 MHz); LTE 800/900/1800/2100/2600 (806-869 MHz/880-960MHz/1710-1880 MHz/1920-2170 MHz/2496-2690 MHz).

The long coaxial cable that connects a modem to an antenna on a vehicleleads to signal losses due to the length of the coaxial cable. Thus,there is a need for placement of a modem in proximity of an antenna fora vehicle system.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One aspect of the present invention is an antenna assembly comprising abase, a modem, a top lid and a housing. The base is composed of analuminum material. The modem is disposed on the base. The top lid is forthe base, and the top lid comprises at least one antenna elementdisposed on an exterior surface. The housing covers the top lid andbase. The top lid acts as an electro-magnetic barrier for the modem.

Another aspect of the present invention is a wireless communicationassembly for a vehicle comprising a base, a modem, a top lid and ahousing. The base is composed of an aluminum material and attached tothe vehicle. The modem is disposed on the base. The top lid is for thebase, and the top lid comprises at least one antenna element disposed onan exterior surface. The housing covers the top lid and base. The toplid acts as an electro-magnetic barrier for the modem.

Having briefly described the present invention, the above and furtherobjects, features and advantages thereof will be recognized by thoseskilled in the pertinent art from the following detailed description ofthe invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of an antenna assembly for a vehicle.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of a base portion of an antenna assembly for avehicle.

FIG. 3 is a side elevation of the base portion of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of a housing for an antenna assembly fora vehicle.

FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of an antenna assembly for a vehiclewith a partial cut-away view.

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of an antenna assembly for a vehicle.

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of a top lid for an antenna assembly for avehicle.

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of a modem for an antenna assembly for avehicle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

An antenna assembly 25 is shown in FIG. 1. The antenna assemblypreferably comprises a base 60, a modem 50, a top lid 40 and a housing30. The base 60 is preferably composed of an aluminum material. Themodem 50 is disposed on the base 60. The top lid 40 is to cover the base60 and modem 50, and the top lid 40 preferably comprises at least oneantenna element disposed on an exterior surface. A radiofrequency cable70 is attached to the modem 50 and secured to the base 60 by bolt 71.The housing 30 covers the top lid 40 and the base 60. The top lid 40acts as an electro-magnetic barrier for the modem 50 to maintain theelectro-magnetic signals inside of the base 60 to prevent interferencewith the antenna signals.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the base 60 includes a body 61 with aninterior surface 62. A side wall 63 defines an interior compartment 65in which a first plurality of heat dissipation elements 66 a-66 e and asecond plurality of heat dissipation elements 67 a-67 e. An aperture 64extends through the body 61 for access by at least one cable. The base60 is preferably composed of a die-cast aluminum material to preventelectro-magnetic signals from the modem 50 from interfering with theantennas on the top lid 40. In this manner, the modem 50 is capable ofbeing placed in proximity to the antennas on the top lid 50 withoutinterference from electro-magnetic signals with the antennas on the toplid 40.

The first plurality of heat dissipation elements 66 a-66 e and thesecond plurality of heat dissipation elements 67 a-67 e dissipate heatthat is generate by the operation of the modem 50.

The sidewall 63, in addition to acting as electro-magnetic barrier, alsoprovides a structure for placement of the top lid 40 thereon.

As shown in FIG. 3, the base 60 preferably has a height H2 ranging from0.5 inch to 1.0 inch, a height, H1, ranging from 0.05 inch to 0.15 inch,and a height, H3, ranging from 0.15 inch to 0.30 inch The basepreferably has a width ranging from 2.5 inches to 3.5 inches, and alength, L1, ranging from 6.0 inches to 8.0 inches. The aperture 64 ispreferably from 1.0 inch to 1.25 inches across.

As shown in FIG. 7, the top lid 40 comprises a first antenna element 42,a second antenna element 43 and a third antenna element 41. Preferablythe first antenna element 42 is a multi-band antenna for cellularcommunications such as disclosed in Thill, U.S. patent Ser. No.10/109,918 for a Multi Element Antenna For Multiple bands Of OperationAnd Method Therefor, which is hereby incorporated by reference in itsentirety. Alternatively, the first antenna element 42 is a multi-bandantenna for cellular communications such as disclosed in He, U.S. Pat.No. 9,362,621 for a Multi Band LTE Antenna, which is hereby incorporatedby reference in its entirety.

Preferably, the second antenna element 43 is selected from the group ofantennas consisting of a WiFi 2G antenna, a WiFi 5G antenna, a DECTantenna, a ZigBee antenna and a Zwave antenna. The WiFi 2G antennas arepreferably 2400-2690 MegaHertz. The WiFi 5G antenna is preferably a 5.8GigaHertz antenna. Alternatively, the second antenna element 43 operatesat 5.15 GHz or at 5.85 GHz. Other possible frequencies for the secondantenna element 43 include 5150 MHz, 5200 MHz, 5300 MHz, 5400 MHz, 5500MHz, 5600 MHz, 5700 MHz, 5850 MHz, and 2.4 GHz. The second antennaelement 43 preferably operates on an 802.11 communication protocol. Mostpreferably, the second antenna element 43 operates on an 802.11ncommunication protocol. Alternatively, the second antenna element 43operates on an 802.11b communication protocol. Alternatively, the secondantenna element 43 operates on an 802.11g communication protocol.Alternatively, the second antenna element 43 operates on an 802.11acommunication protocol. Alternatively, the second antenna element 43operates on an 802.11ac communication protocol.

The third antenna element 41 is preferably a GPS/GLONASS (“GlobalPositioning Satellite/Global Navigation Satellite System”) module.

Those skilled in the pertinent art will recognize that other antennatypes may be used for the first antenna element 42, the second antennaelement 43 and/or the third antenna element 41 without departing fromthe scope and spirit of the present invention.

The top lid 40 is preferably composed of an aluminum material, at leaston a bottom surface. Alternatively, the top lid 40 is composed ofmaterials that can act as a barrier to electro-magnetic signals.

The modem 50 preferably includes at least one of a computationcomponent, a communication chip 55, a switch, an antenna switch circuit,a GNSS (“Global Navigation Satellite System”) reception component 56, asecurity access module 53, a mobile phone communication component 54,and a power supply source. The computation component preferably includesa CPU (“Central Processing Unit”) 51, a memory 52, and an interface(I/F) component. The modem 50 preferably operates for vehicle toeverything (V2X) communications, using a 802.11p communication protocol.Alternatively, the modem 50 operates Dedicated Short RangeCommunications (DSRC). Alternatively, the modem 50 operates cellular V2X(CV2X) using 5G technology.

Preferably, the housing 30 is composed of a polypropylene material. Asshown in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6, the housing 30 preferably has a height, H4,ranging from 50 to 90 millimeters (mm), more preferably from 60 to 80mm, and most preferably from 65 to 75 mm. The housing 30 preferably hasa length, L2, ranging from 100 to 250 mm, more preferably from 150 to200 mm, and most preferably from 160 to 190 mm. The housing 30preferably has a width, W1 ranging from 50 to 100 mm, more preferablyfrom 60 to 90 mm, and most preferably from 65 to 85 mm. An internalwidth W2 is preferably 70 to 80 mm. A width W3 is preferably 10 to 15mm. The housing 30 has a sidewall 32, a crown 33 and a rear wall 31. Thewalls of the housing 30 preferably have a thickness ranging from 2 to 7mm, and most preferably are 5 mm.

He, U.S. Pat. No. 9,362,621 for a Multi-Band LTE Antenna is herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety.

Abramov et al., U.S. Pat. No. 7,215,296 for a Switch Multi-Beam AntennaSerial is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Salo et al., U.S. Pat. No. 7,907,971 for an Optimized DirectionalAntenna System is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Abramov et al., U.S. Pat. No. 7,570,215 for an Antenna device with acontrolled directional pattern and a planar directional antenna ishereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Abramov et al., U.S. Pat. No. 7,570,215 for an Antenna device with acontrolled directional pattern and a planar directional antenna ishereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Abramov et al., U.S. Pat. No. 8,423,084 for a Method for radiocommunication in a wireless local area network and transceiving deviceis hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Khitrik et al., U.S. Pat. No. 7,336,959 for an Information transmissionmethod for a wireless local network is hereby incorporated by referencein its entirety.

Khitrik et al., U.S. Pat. No. 7,043,252 for an Information transmissionmethod for a wireless local network is hereby incorporated by referencein its entirety.

Abramov et al., U.S. Pat. No. 8,184,601 for a METHOD FOR RADIOCOMMUNICATION INA WIRELESS LOCAL AREA NETWORK WIRELESS LOCAL AREANETWORK AND TRANSCEIVING DEVICE is hereby incorporated by reference inits entirety.

Abramov et al., U.S. Pat. No. 7,627,300 for a Dynamically optimizedsmart antenna system is hereby incorporated by reference in itsentirety.

Abramov et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,486,832 for a Direction-agile antennasystem for wireless communications is hereby incorporated by referencein its entirety.

Yang, U.S. Pat. No. 8,081,123 for a COMPACT MULTI-LEVEL ANTENNA WITHPHASE SHIFT is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Nagaev et al., U.S. Pat. No. 7,292,201 for a Directional antenna systemwith multi-use elements is hereby incorporated by reference in itsentirety.

Abramov et al., U.S. Pat. No. 7,696,948 for a Configurable directionalantenna is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Abramov et al., U.S. Pat. No. 7,965,242 for a Dual-band antenna ishereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Abramov et al., U.S. Pat. No. 7,729,662 for a Radio communication methodin a wireless local network is hereby incorporated by reference in itsentirety.

Abramov et al., U.S. Pat. No. 8,248,970 for an OPTIMIZED DIRECTIONALMIMO ANTENNA SYSTEM is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Visuri et al., U.S. Pat. No. 8,175,036 for a MULTIMEDIA WIRELESSDISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS AND METHODS is hereby incorporated by reference inits entirety.

Yang, U.S. Patent Publication Number 20110235755 for an MIMO RadioSystem With Antenna Signal Combiner is hereby incorporated by referencein its entirety.

Yang et al., U.S. Pat. No. 9,013,355 for an L SHAPED FEED AS PART OF AMATCHING NETWORK FOR A MICROSTRIP ANTENNA is hereby incorporated byreference in its entirety.

From the foregoing it is believed that those skilled in the pertinentart will recognize the meritorious advancement of this invention andwill readily understand that while the present invention has beendescribed in association with a preferred embodiment thereof, and otherembodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings, numerous changesmodification and substitutions of equivalents may be made thereinwithout departing from the spirit and scope of this invention which isintended to be unlimited by the foregoing except as may appear in thefollowing appended claim. Therefore, the embodiments of the invention inwhich an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined in thefollowing appended claims.

I claim as my invention the following:
 1. An antenna assemblycomprising: a base composed of an aluminum material, the base comprisinga body, an interior surface, a sidewall and a plurality of heatdissipation elements extending from the interior surface; a modemdisposed within the base and directly contacting the plurality of heatdissipation elements, the modem comprising at least one of acommunication chip, a Global Navigation Satellite System receptioncomponent, a security access module, and a mobile phone communicationcomponent; a top lid for the base, the top lid comprising a bottomsurface composed of an aluminum material and a multi-band antenna forcellular communications disposed on an exterior surface of the top lid;and a housing covering the top lid and the base; wherein the top lid andthe base act as an electro-magnetic barrier for the modem allowing themodem to be placed in proximity to the multi-band antenna withoutinterference from electro-magnetic signals from the multi-band antenna;wherein the plurality of heat dissipation elements dissipate heatgenerated by operation of the modem.
 2. The antenna assembly accordingto claim 1 further comprising a radiofrequency cable connected to themodem.
 3. The antenna assembly according to claim 1 wherein the base iscomposed of a die-cast aluminum material.
 4. The antenna assemblyaccording to claim 1 wherein the top lid comprises a base circuit board.5. The antenna assembly according to claim 1 wherein the top lidcomprises a cell circuit board.
 6. The antenna assembly according toclaim 1 wherein the top lid comprises a WiFi circuit board.
 7. Theantenna assembly according to claim 1 wherein the top lid comprises aGlobal Positioning Satellite/Global Navigation Satellite System module.8. The antenna assembly according to claim 1 wherein the base has awidth ranging from 2.5 inches to 3.5 inches, and a length ranging from6.0 inches to 8.0 inches.
 9. The antenna assembly according to claim 1wherein the base has a height ranging from 0.5 inch to 1.0 inch.
 10. Awireless communication assembly for a vehicle comprising: a basecomposed of an aluminum material for attached to the vehicle, the basecomprising a body, an interior surface, a sidewall and a plurality ofheat dissipation elements extending from the interior surface; a modemdisposed within the base and directly contacting the plurality of heatdissipation elements, the modem comprising at least one of acommunication chip, a Global Navigation Satellite System receptioncomponent, a security access module, and a mobile phone communicationcomponent; a top lid for the base, the top lid comprising a bottomsurface composed of an aluminum material and a multi-band antenna forcellular communications disposed on an exterior surface of the top lid;and a housing covering the top lid and base; wherein the top lid and thebase act as an electro-magnetic barrier for the modem allowing the modemto be placed in proximity to the multi-band antenna without interferencefrom electro-magnetic signals from the multi-band antenna; wherein theplurality of heat dissipation elements dissipate heat generated byoperation of the modem.
 11. The wireless communication assemblyaccording to claim 10 further comprising a radiofrequency cableconnected to the modem.
 12. The wireless communication assemblyaccording to claim 10 wherein the base is composed of a die-castaluminum material.
 13. The wireless communication assembly according toclaim 10 wherein the top lid comprises a base circuit board.
 14. Thewireless communication assembly according to claim 10 wherein the toplid comprises a cell circuit board.
 15. The wireless communicationassembly according to claim 10 wherein the top lid comprises a WiFicircuit board.
 16. The wireless communication assembly according toclaim 10 wherein the top lid comprises a Global PositioningSatellite/Global Navigation Satellite System module.
 17. The wirelesscommunication assembly according to claim 10 wherein the base has awidth ranging from 2.5 inches to 3.5 inches, and a length ranging from6.0 inches to 8.0 inches.
 18. The wireless communication assemblyaccording to claim 10 wherein the base has a height ranging from 0.5inch to 1.0 inch.